The first step in halting transportation projects across Illinois because of the state budget impasse started Wednesday when contractors were notified to secure construction zones by June 30 for a possible long-term shutdown, according to transportation officials.

"We have started to inform our industry partners that all of our projects in both construction and engineering phases will be shutting down starting June 30 due to the majority party in the legislature's failure to pass a balanced budget," the Illinois Department of Transportation said in a statement. "The conversation about how individual projects will wind down is continuing."

IDOT officials said they have identified projects totaling $665.5 million underway in Cook, DuPage, Will, McHenry, Kane and Lake counties. The total includes $495.7 million in state projects and $169.7 million in local projects.

Gov. Bruce Rauner and House Speaker Michael Madigan have been sparring over the construction, school funding and others issues as part of the budget stalemate. Rauner visited the IDOT offices this week to reiterate the danger of not coming to an agreement and shutting down the roadwork.

Dan Moran / Lake County News-Sun

Work on a railroad crossing that will go over Washington Street in Grayslake is among the construction projects being impacted by the Illinois budget stalemate.

Work on a railroad crossing that will go over Washington Street in Grayslake is among the construction projects being impacted by the Illinois budget stalemate. (Dan Moran / Lake County News-Sun)

"Transportation is one of the cornerstones of our state's economy," Rauner said in a statement released Tuesday. "The employees of IDOT are working hard day in and day out to keep our roads safe for all Illinois travelers and at a good value for taxpayers.

"Without a safe, reliable system of transportation, people don't get to work. Goods and services do not get to where they need to go. Strengthening IDOT will continue to be one of my top priorities so Illinois is an even better place to live, work, raise a family and do business."

Rauner added that all transportation projects "will be suspended unless the General Assembly passes the stopgap budget proposed by the GOP Leaders," saying that a stopgap funding solution backed by his office "will allow important projects and programs to continue past June 30 without interruption (and) will keep IDOT's summer construction program moving forward without delay."

Steve Brown, Madigan's press secretary, said the negotiations on a budget are continuing, and he blasted Rauner and IDOT, saying, "Their strategy is create panic."

According to Brown, a downstate city asked when the state would pay its water bill for rest stops, and IDOT immediately sent crews out to post signs saying it was closed when the city didn't say it would cut off the water.

"We don't want (IDOT) to waste a lot of money on PR stunts when it is still under negotiations," he said.

In a Wednesday statement, IDOT officials urged state legislature to return to Springfield and vote on the GOP funding bill backed by Rauner.

Dan Moran / Lake County News-Sun

Work on a railroad crossing that will go over Washington Street in Grayslake is among the construction projects being impacted by the Illinois budget stalemate.

Work on a railroad crossing that will go over Washington Street in Grayslake is among the construction projects being impacted by the Illinois budget stalemate. (Dan Moran / Lake County News-Sun)

"The stopgap proposal is a fiscally responsible solution proposed by the Republican leaders that can be voted on today," the statement said. "There will be no interruption in our projects and programs if the General Assembly returns to Springfield and passes (the bill)."

Lake County officials also weighed in, saying the standoff could close down four Lake County road projects by the end of the month, including the Washington Street underpass at the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks in Grayslake.

"In addition to human services and other state programs, transportation projects are the latest victim of the state's budget impasse," said Aaron Lawlor, chairman of the Lake County Board. "It's unfortunate the state work has to stop, but the county projects will continue," he added, referring to $111 million slated for transportation projects in the county this year.

Lawlor said IDOT was expected to send a notice on Wednesday to its state contractors that all active construction must stop immediately and all contractors must work to make the sites safe for a possible "long-term" shutdown by June 30 due to lack of a budget, he said.

"Construction workers work very hard during the construction season and they rely on this (income) during the off-season," he said. "I think its hard to find a person not impacted by what's going on in Springfield."

According to IDOT, current work zones eyed for shutdown include the Jane Byrne Interchange reconstruction in Chicago; Interstate 55 and Lake Shore Drive in Chicago; Illinois 171 at I-55 in Cook County; 159th Street (Illinois 7/U.S. 6) from I-355 to U.S. 45 in Will County; I-55 at U.S. 6 in Channahon/Minooka; U.S. 30 from I-55 to Illinois 59 in Joliet/Plainfield; Illinois 19 and York Road in Bensenville; and Torrence Avenue over the Grand Calumet River in Chicago.

Dan Moran / Lake County News-Sun

Work on a railroad crossing that will go over Washington Street in Grayslake is among the construction projects being impacted by the Illinois budget stalemate.

Work on a railroad crossing that will go over Washington Street in Grayslake is among the construction projects being impacted by the Illinois budget stalemate. (Dan Moran / Lake County News-Sun)

IDOT also listed projects that may not be awarded for the coming year, including part of the Jane Byrne project and lane expansion and bridge projects on the west end of the Kennedy Expressway in Chicago.

In Lake County, future projects that could be impacted include the Route 45 Millburn Bypass in Lindenhurst and Old Mill Creek, and improvements on Grand Avenue at Route 41 in Gurnee.

Current Lake County projects identified by Lawlor and county transportation officials include not only the Washington Street grade separation but also an intersection improvement at Ela Road and Route 12; storm sewer and repaving on Deerfield Road in Deerfield and Highland Park; and technology improvements on Waukegan Road (Route 43).

Brooke Hooker, spokesperson for LCDOT, said that the Washington Street overpass is unique in that it is being done in separate parts, so work on the overpass will be suspended, but road improvements on either side can continue.

Hooker added that LCDOT will work with its engineers and contractors to make sure that the roadways are as safe as possible for the traveling public. Road construction projects that are locally funded will continue as scheduled.

Lake County has a five-year plan calling for $550 million in transportation improvements. Lawlor said the shutdown won't affect the Hawley Street improvements in Mundelein or the many resurfacing projects.